ON THE BIG TEN.

Suddenly, only sure thing about league is uncertainty

INDIANAPOLIS — Minnesota defeated Purdue even though it shot just 28.8 percent.

Penn State deservedly lost to Northwestern after turning the ball over an astounding 20 times in the first half alone.

Michigan, auditioning for a role in the NCAA tournament, nearly blew a late 15-point lead before holding on to defeat Iowa.

Then Illinois, the regular-season champion, let a 15-point lead erode to two before roaring back to defeat the Wolverines by 14.

This Big Ten tournament has not been a revelation. It merely has been a confirmation of an opinion held all season long. The conference is a mess--a veritable cornucopia of head-scratching pronouncements, tummy-churning performances and speculation that flies in the face of logic and reality.

Minnesota forward Kris Humphries, the league's much-acclaimed freshman of the year, went 4 of 21 against Purdue and made 5 of 16 shots in his team's loss to Wisconsin. He hogged the ball, forced shots and operated outside his team's offense, but none of that is likely to deter him. He is expected to leave school after just one season to enter the NBA draft.

Penn State junior forward Jan Jagla finished 12th in the conference in scoring, third in the conference in rebounding, was absent from the all-conference first, second or third teams and scored just six points in the Nittany Lions' loss to the Wildcats. But he too is expected to turn pro, probably back home in Germany.

Indiana sophomore guard Bracey Wright shot 37.7 percent in the regular season and 33.3 percent in this tournament, but, yes, he is another who could be declaring for the next level.

"This was definitely a great tournament for us because it taught me so many things about what a basketball team is about," Indiana coach Mike Davis said after Indiana had finished its worst season in 34 years.

At various times during the season, as his Hoosiers floundered and their losses mounted, Davis had criticized their effort, their unwillingness to accept roles and their general lack of commitment to the task at hand.

Davis' words screamed that change was necessary.

But he resisted it and continued to use the highly touted players he had recruited. Finally, after his team fell behind Ohio State by 11 points in the Hoosiers' Thursday tourney opener, he pulled the trigger. His players suddenly rediscovered passion, unselfishness and a love of labor.

The catalysts weren't Wright or center George Leach or the more familiar names. They were walk-ons Ryan Tapek and Mark Johnson and little-used scholarship forward Mike Roberts.

That was astounding enough. Even more astounding was Davis' admission that he didn't realize what was best for his team until the 28th game of the season.

Davis committed himself to Tapek and Johnson after Illinois had bounced his team from the tourney. But that merely opened the door to disgruntlement for freshman guard Roderick Wilmont, who got zero minutes in the tournament, and sophomore guard Marshall Strickland, who got fewer minutes than Johnson.

It should make for a very interesting off-season in the state of Indiana.

Purdue's venerable coach, Gene Keady, has one more year left on his contract, but he turns 68 in May and talked openly of retirement after his team's wretched display against Minnesota. It could have been disappointment speaking. It could have been a subtle plea for a contract extension, which he needs if he's to recruit successfully. Or it could have been a real indication an era is coming to an end.

Jim O'Brien's era at Ohio State has included a Final Four, three other NCAA tournament appearances and a 133-88 record, including this season's dismal 14-16 mark.

But O'Brien grew up in Brooklyn, was graduated from Boston College, is an Easterner through and through and three times in the last two weeks has refused to deny he has any interest in the opening at St. John's.

So change also may come to Columbus.

That is also what is expected--on the court--at Michigan, where Tommy Amaker has collected a talented group of freshmen and sophomores. The Wolverines lacked toughness and basketball acumen too often this season, and Amaker still must prove he can instill them with both.

Iowa's season was disrupted when it lost four players to grades, injury or personal matters. After playing in the NIT, the Hawkeyes will lose five seniors to graduation.

That leaves only Northwestern and the league's three elite teams--Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan State--as standard-bearers for stability.

Before the season, Michigan State sophomore center Paul Davis and junior guard Alan Anderson harbored barely concealed thoughts of early exits to the NBA. Neither has proved himself ready for that jump. But that hasn't stopped others from making the move. Wisconsin guard Devin Harris, after a brilliant year, has emerged as a legitimate high first-round draft choice.

It wouldn't be a surprise if he left, nor would it be a surprise if he stayed. The league's best player--like the league itself-- is be cloaked in uncertainty.